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Latest NewsNew Septic Tank Licencing for Ireland (November 06, 2009)New laws planned for next year mean that over 400,000 Irish homeowners will be forced to buy a licence for their septic tank. Environment Minister John Gormley said that he will introduce a licensing and inspection system for septic tanks, affecting 440,000 homes in rural areas. Under a new licensing system, a public body will undertake the inspections to ensure the septic tanks and their drainfields are working correctly and not causing pollution. The department has not yet decided how much a licence will cost, but in the UK similar licences cost €125. The move could be a result of the European Court of Justice’s ruling on Oct.29th 2009, declaring that Ireland had broken EU law for failing to enact legislation to deal with domestic wastewater from septic tanks and other treatment systems. It is likely that many septic tanks will fail the inspection; as is happening in France where a similar inspection programme is already taking place. Homeowners would be forced to replace their tanks if they fail this inspection or pose a risk to public health. Particularly affected will be tanks located on waterlogged sites or where clay soil predominates and these are likely to require replacement with superior treatment plants at a cost of up to €4,000 per tank plus installation costs. Penalties of up to €5000 are likely for tanks that are found to be polluting the environment. Mr Gormley said he would be considering the European court's judgment and introducing the licensing system, stating, "We know that in far too many instances septic tanks or on-site sewage treatment systems are causing pollution. The absence of a licensing and inspection system is a major weakness in our overall environmental management structures”
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